Coca-Cola's Green Billboard Made of Plants That Absorb Air Pollution

By Tim Nudd on June 27, 2011

Advertising doesn't get much greener than this: Coca-Cola and the World Wildlife Fund have unveiled a new 60-by-60-foot billboard in the Philippines that's covered in Fukien tea plants, which absorb air pollution.[1] Each plant can absorb up to 13 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. "This billboard helps alleviate air pollution within its proximate areas as it can absorb a total of 46,800 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, on estimate," says botanist Anthony Gao. The rest of the billboard is just as environmentally friendly. The plants are contained in 3,600 pots made from old Coke bottles and designed to help the plants grow sideways. The potting mixture was made from industrial byproducts and organic fertilizers. And a drip irrigation system was installed, which saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. "We are proud that we have brought to life the first plant billboard in the country," says Guillermo Aponte, president of Coca-Cola Philippines. "It is an embodiment of our company's 'Live Positively' commitment to making a positive difference in the world by incorporating sustainability into everything that we do. With this, we hope to inspire Filipinos to join us in our journey, because we know that together, we can make a positive impact." Via PSFK. [2]